Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and China’s Foreign Minister, is visiting Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Chad, and Nigeria from January 5 to 11, at the invitation of these nations.
This visit continues a 35-year tradition of Chinese foreign ministers making Africa their first overseas destination each year, as confirmed by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.
Also, the visit is a show of China’s commitment to strengthening Sino-African relations.
At the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed elevating bilateral ties with African nations to strategic partnerships. He also suggested fostering an “all-weather community with a shared future,” aiming to modernize cooperation in six key areas, including trade, industrialization, infrastructure development, and cultural exchanges.
To support this vision, President Xi outlined ten partnership actions to deepen collaboration between China and Africa. Initiatives such as establishing governance-sharing platforms, creating a China-Africa knowledge network, and setting up 25 China-Africa study centers are part of this ambitious framework. According to Mao, these proposals were met with enthusiasm from African leaders.
Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Chad, and Nigeria hold significant positions as China’s cooperative partners on the continent. Wang’s diplomatic mission will focus on implementing the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) outcomes and promoting practical cooperation in various sectors.
The trip reflects China’s ongoing strategy to enhance its influence in Africa while fostering mutually beneficial development.
